Contrary to the buzzing reports, the Duke of Sussex was actually invited to his pal Hugh Grosvenor's upcoming wedding but he declined to attend to avoid any potential awkwardness and media frenzy.
- June 4, 2024
AceShowbiz - Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, is set to marry fiancee Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral on June 7. The event, described by many as the most anticipated high-society wedding of the season, will host around 400 guests, including prominent figures from Britain's aristocracy.
Despite the warmth and historical bond with Grosvenor, Prince Harry has decided to stay away, acknowledging the complications surrounding his attendance. "The Duke of Sussex sends 'his love and support and admiration for the couple' for their wedding day," a source tells PEOPLE.
This decision follows a mutual understanding between Harry and the Duke of Westminster, both agreeing it would be better for Harry not to attend, avoiding any media frenzy that might overshadow the event. It was an "understanding between the two friends," a source said.
Prince William, expected to serve as an usher, will guide guests to their seats, a role that many speculate would have been potentially awkward had Harry attended. Additionally, Prince George, Grosvenor's godson and Prince William's eldest son, will have a special role in the ceremony. Hugh Grosvenor, a friend to both brothers since childhood, is also the godfather of Prince Harry's son, Prince Archie.
The Duke of Westminster's marriage to Henson, who comes from a wealthy and distinguished family herself, marks a significant social event, with the Times summarizing it as "the most royal nonroyal wedding of the year." Many guests, including Lady Edwina Grosvenor and her husband Dan Snow, and various members of the Van Cutsem family, are expected to attend.
Conspicuously absent will be King Charles and Princess Kate, both currently undergoing cancer treatments, further shifting the spotlight back to the couple and their special day. King Charles is Grosvenor's godfather while Grosvenor's mother is a godmother to Prince William, illustrating deep-rooted connections within the royal circles.
An insider close to the couple revealed, "Hugh is one of the very few close friends of William and Harry's who has maintained strong bonds and a line of communication with both. He wishes they could put their heads together and patch things up, but realises it's unlikely to happen before the wedding."
Ultimately, the wedding is set to be a grand affair symbolizing old and new ties within Britain's elite, unfettered by broader royal drama, making it a memorable day for Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson.
